Qatar Ensuring Domestic Workers' Access To Justice, Legal Support: Moi Official

Doha, Qatar: Officials and experts have emphasised that Qatar's evolving legal frameworks are playing a pivotal role in protecting the rights of domestic workers and ensuring their access to justice.

They were speaking during a panel discussion titled“Legal Pathways and Institutional Frameworks”, held as part of a high-level event jointly organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Panellists included Nasser Marzouq Sultan Al-Marri, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at NHRC; Captain Mohammed Nasser Al-Jabr from the Research and Follow-Up Department at the Ministry of Interior; Dr. Lena Moller from the College of Law at Qatar University; and Margaret Kabue, Chairperson of the Kenyan Domestic Workers Association. The session was moderated by Hala Al Ali, Legal Expert at NHRC.

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Al-Marri presented an overview of the NHRC's efforts to promote access to justice and uphold human rights in Qatar. He outlined key recommendations aimed at reinforcing these efforts in a sustainable manner.

Al-Marri highlighted the country's significant legal reforms in favour of workers' rights and emphasised the NHRC's enhanced mandate, which allows it to independently monitor human rights conditions and propose relevant policy recommendations.

He also pointed to the NHRC's 2024–2030 strategic plan, which aligns with the Paris Principles of 1993, as a guiding framework in expanding the Committee's competencies.“Among our most vital roles is ensuring public redress by receiving and investigating petitions involving alleged human rights violations,” he stated.“In 2024 alone, the NHRC received 1,853 complaints, including several concerning domestic workers, which were reviewed and addressed in coordination with the relevant authorities.”

Captain Al-Jabr stressed that the domestic worker–employer relationship is unique due to its deeply social and humanitarian dimensions.

Given the vulnerability of this labour group, he said, Qatar has introduced a number of legal instruments to regulate and protect this relationship and to guarantee domestic workers' access to justice and legal support.

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